September 25, 1849

The Michigan State Fair opened.

The Michigan State Fair—one of the oldest state fairs in the nation—opened at the corner of Woodward and Duffield in Detroit on land owned by George V.N. Lothrop. Admission was one shilling (about 12.5 cents), and the fair’s more than fifteen thousand visitors viewed an assortment of exhibits, including the latest invention—the safety pin. The 2002 Michigan State Fair attracted more than 450,000 visitors.

Thank you Michigan History Magazine for this glimpse into our past.  See more at www.michiganhistorymagazine.com.